Ask to Manolis!

Suvlaki is the best known street food all over Greece - small cubes of pork threaded on a wooden skewer.

It seems that eateries are more than anything on Crete and even more so are the places where to get the Greek street food - souvlaki (that sometimes is sold in a booth right next to the street). So, where do you find the best souvlaki? I would not recommend relying on google or TripAdvisor. Do do ask the locals instead! "That one is the best in Crete", Manolis re-assured confidently. So, did Kostas and Georgios. To be more precise - the best souvlaki on island between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos.

The ingredients of souvlaki experience

How to tune your nose for a good souvlaki? How does a 'good souvlaki' eating experience looks and feels like? First of all, it should start with hospitality - you are greeted as an old friend and welcomed to come in for a bite even at 11am which is not the most typical grill-time in Crete (and Cretans are not in favour of breakfast). But if the host truly honours your visit (as that was the case in this village, off the beaten path), he or she will make it happen.

Maybe it was just lucky coincidence as we felt expected. Despite the relatively early hour we had to wait for only about 25 min for freshly grilled souvlaki to arrive. Here it is - the hero of our journey and reward for our 'souvalki quest' in all its glory - freshly grilled, juicy, mouthwatering, crispy pieces of meet neatly arranged on a stick, seasoned by salt and lemon. Having grown up and developed my souvlaki-taste over the years, I can truly confirm this was one of the best souvlaki experience ever (not only in Crete but whole of Greece). We were warmly welcomed to come back on the final accord.

The ultimate belly joy! Καλή όρεξη! Enjoy your souvlaki!

The decision to come back was clear. This time for the dinner and with parea!

Tavern "Athivoles" is in Latsida village, few kilometres from Neapoli, in Lassithi Prefecture, Crete.

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Having traveled for over 30 years, since 6 years now, I have found the whole world in one of the most fascinating and unique places on earth – Crete. It is a diverse, rich and inspiring island which even after so many years does not stop surprising me - its rich history and unique traditions, its people, the delicacies of Cretan cuisine, its landspace and its stunning nature. Here I reveal some of its secrets.